The former deputy speaker denies the sex allegations against him, telling the
jury in his trial the accusations have made his life “absolute hell”

Nigel Evans has told a jury that rape allegations against him will follow him for the rest of his life, as he admitted that "there's no fool like an old fool".

The former deputy speaker told his trial of his ten months of ''absolute hell'' after being accused of a string of sex assaults.

The MP's voice trembled with emotion as he spoke of his embarrassment and shock at being treated a suspect and having his private life laid bare.

He is on trial over allegations he sexually abused seven young men on various dates between 2002 and last year by using his ''powerful'' political influence to take advantage of them, often while drunk.

He told the court that on one occasion he made a pass at a young Westminster worker but did not sexually assault him.